National Park Guide - your guide to national parks in America your guide to national parks in america

Amistad National Recreation Area

A splash of blue stands out against limestone cliffs. The honking of a great blue heron, interspersed with the descending trill of a canyon wren, can be heard off in the distance. This landscape, which at times appears stark and desolate, comes alive with color after a rainstorm. Amistad is a land of contrasts...and of hidden treasures. The same water that draws people to boat and fish today, sustained over 300 generations of hunters and gatherers. They left behind a record of their existence through colorful rock art panels, bits of tools, and fibers preserved for thousands of years by the arid desert climate.

Situated on the United States-Mexico Border, Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year round, water-based recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. So whether you come to boat, to ponder ancient mysteries, or to listen to bird song and watch the desert bloom, Amistad has something for you.


Contact Information

HCR 3, Box 5J
Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840-9350
(830)775-7491 - Headquarters


Sponsored Links


Getting There

By Plane
Del Rio is serviced by a small airport that will accommodate small private planes

By Car
Amistad NRA lies in southwest Texas, west of San Antonio between Del Rio and Langtry, downstream from Big Bend National Park. It is reached via Highway 90 from the east and west and U.S. Routes 277/377 from the north and south

By Plane
Bus and Amtrak stations are located in Del Rio.

Getting Around
Personal vehicle, bicycle, boat and motorcycle.

Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
thebackpacker.com If you want more information about backpacking and hiking, give thebackpacker.com a try. From backpacking gear reviews, hiking trail reviews and much more, it covers all aspects of wilderness travel.
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Educational Programs
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks
  • Stargazing
  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkeling

Recommended Activities
Amistad National Recreation Area consists of 57,292 acres, most of which are underwater. Lake Amistad is an International reservoir and recreation area. 540 miles of lake shoreline is in the United States. At normal conservation level (1117 ft above sea level), Lake Amistad contains 67,000 acres of water, extends 74 miles up the Rio Grande, 24 miles up the Devils River and 14 miles up the Pecos River.

Boating, camping and fishing are the main activities at Amistad NRA. Other activities enjoyed by our visitors are; swimming, hunting, water-skiing, SCUBA, bird-watching, observing plants and wildlife, and picnicking at designated areas.



Kiosks with interpretive information panels on recreation, water safety and natural history are located throughout the park.

Free interpretive / educational programs are offered from November through March. Stop by or call park headquarters for a schedule of programs.

Self guided trails and tours: Pecos Nature Trail (with pamphlet).


Pets:
Are allowed on trails and most areas of the park as long as they are on a leash. Limestone is very rough on your pet's feet, use caution near the lake and unpaved areas. Fleas and ticks are abundant in the grassy, brushy areas of Lake Amistad.Please be courteous and clean up after your pet.There are several veterinarians and boarding kennels available in Del Rio.



 

The National Park System includes all US States and even extends to some US Territories. To explore the parks, you may either browse the parks by State or by Name.

Choose Park by State:

Choose Park by Name:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.